Vessel filling valve



lllllll IlllllllllllllaiilIlllrllnla R. F. QUAM nil :JIHIIIII Il VESSEL FILLING VALVE Filed Jan. 17,. 1949 4..IIIIIIIIIIlllllllzillwllllllllirrlllll114 I film June 27, 195i) Patented June 27, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE y y 2,512,566 g c l VESSEL FILLINGVALVE Ranald F. Quain, Milwaukee, Wis. Application January 17, 1949, Serial No. 71,269

This invention relates to improvements in vessel filling valves, and more particularly to valves adapted for use on pedestal type vessel filling machines. l l

In filling bottles or the like with liquids such as milk, the tendency of said liquids to foam seriously interferes with the lling operation when conventional filling valves are used. This foaming necessitates the slowing down of the filling operation to a rate at which a minimum amount of foam is produced, and necessarily results in low eiciency.

'My copending application Serial No. 41,995, filed August 2, 1948, discloses a vessel filling valve of the same general type as the present inven` rtion but which operates by being lowered into sealing engagement with the upper end of the vessel to be filled, rather than by having lthe vessel raised into operative relationship therewith. My copending application Serial No. 70,920, filed January 14, 1949, discloses one type of vessel lling valve which is adapted for use on a pedestal type vessel filling machine wherein the vessel to be filled is raised into operative relationship with the vessel filling valve.

It is a general object of the present invention to provide a valve embodying hydraulic operation for expediting the filling of vessels with a liquid, the filling operation, when said valve is used, being substantially unaffected by the formation of foam from saidliquid.

A further object of the invention is to provide a vessel filling valve of the type described and 14 Claims. (Cl. 226-124) ypart of this specification, wherein is shown one complete embodiment of the preferred form of the invention, and whereinv the same reference characters indicate the same parts in all of the views: p

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view of the improved valve showing it in closed position;

' Fig.r 2 is a view similar to Fig. l showing the improved valve in open position with a bottle in operative relationship therewith;

" Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken along rthe line 3 3 of Fig. 1; and

gan enlarged,

' 'portion y I2.

through which the portion I2 extends.

which is operated hydraulically by having the v vessel to be filled raised into operative relation,- ship therewith to create pressure on the hydraulic fluid, the structure being such that the fluid being handled also serves as the hydraulic medium.

A further object of the invention is to provide a valve of the class described which may be quickly and easily disassembled and cleaned and which is well adapted for use in the food industries.

A further object of the invention is to provide a valve of the class described which is strong and durable, which is fast and positive in its operation, and which is easy to manufacture and repa1r.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention consists of the improved vessel filling valve, and all of its parts and combinations, as set forth in the claims, and all equivalents thereof.

In the drawing accompanying :and forming" a Wardly as shown.

-Figl 4 is a transverse sectional View taken along the line 4-4 of Fig. 1. vReferring more particularly to the drawing, the numeral I indicates the bottom of a tank which is adapted to supply the liquid for the vessels to be filled. The improved valve'preferably comprises a vertically extending fluid linlet conduit I I which is formed at its upper end with externally threaded, cylindrical 'Ihe tank I0 is preferably'formed I3 in the bottom thereof', Around the margin of the aperture I3, the tank bottom is formed with a downwardly sloping annular portion I4. The enlarged portion I2 is formed with an annular outwardly and upwardly projecting flange l5, the underside of `which rests on the with an aperture portion I2, and an annular gasket Il, of rubberor yother suitable material, is interposed between the collar or nut I6 and the underside of theportion I4. The collar I6 is suliiciently tightened to prevent leakage past the gasket I l.

The inlet conduit II may have a portion of increased internal diameter I8 within the enlarged portion I2. Fixed to and extending through the enlarged portion I2 and spaced from and substantially parallel with the conduit II, is a con- The conduit I9 preferably extends upwardly to a point above the level of the liquid in thetank I0, and said conduit also extends down- Fixed, as by welding, to the underside of the enlarged portion i2 and fixed to and surrounding the conduit I9, is a collar k2l). Thecollar 2D is formed with an external annular groove 2| having a semi-circular cross-sectional shape.

Positioned around the inlet conduit Il is a sleeve member 22 having its upper end in juxta- "Vpovsition with the underside or the portion I2. The sleeve 22 has a thick Walled upper portion 23 having an inner diameter` substantially equal'to Below the portion 36Y with a portion 43 which has `a bore'diametersub- Ystantially larger than the bore of the portion 36. vintermediate the length of. the .lzrorticirrV lll'lthe the outer diameter of the inlet conduit Il, and having an outer diameter substantially equal to that of the enlarged portion I2. The sleeve has an outer diameter of such size that the said sleeve is tangent to the upper portion 23 of the sleeve 22` Adjacent the upper end of the portion 23 the sleeve 22 is formed with an internal annular groove 24 in which is seated an annular sealing ring 25, oi rubber or other suitable material. The` exteriorifzof they portiori'23'M of"1the sleeve 22Visformed with an .annular groove 26 which extends in the same horizontal plane as the groove 2| and which has the same semi-circular cross-sectional shape.` A snap ring.2'| is adapted to be seated in the groove 26, and'when in the position shown, it locks the sleeve.E 22 to 4thelsleeve 20 through the groove 2| .inthe latter sleeve.

The 10Wel' end of the lOlfe1 f the pOltllTZS iS `formed with a part of slightly increased. diameter Y28 with which a threaded hole 29 for a removable vplugll communicates. Below the yportion Y23, f sleeve 22 is formed with apart:3| which preferably extends for a major portion of the length .Y ofsaid sleeve and which has abore of increased diameter.

, A- substantially cylindrical stem 32, ,having an outside diameter equalto the insidediameter of .the inlet conduit i l, has `one en dthereoixedly 1 inserted into the lower end offsaid conduit. The

lower end of theconduit. and theupper por-5.y tion of the stem 32 are formed with an elongated slot 14 which extends diametrically therethrough, as shown in Figs. 1, Zand 4.] At its lower end the stem 32 is formed with. an externalannular groove 33 in which is seated a suitableannular.

. sealing ring 34.

Axially slidable on theconduit is a sleeve V35. Adjacent its upper end the. sleeve .35.has a v .portion 36 with a bore diameter substantially equal to the .outer diameter of the conduit iii @..The portion ,36 is formedat its upper end .with `lfaninternal .annular groove3l inl'which is seated an annular sealing ring 38. Said end isf also ".Jformed 4with an outwardly. projectingvannular nangeSQ. ,A tubular extension'fflprojects .up-5..

sleeve22. Y

thewlsleeve 35 is :formed sleeve 35 is preferably formed.with .afplurality of radially extending kapertures 44. Be1ow. the portion 43 the sleeve 35 is formed with a.portion 45 having a bore diameter substantially equallto vthe diameter ofthe stem 32 andhavingan outside vdiameter approximately .equal to that ofv the conduit ||.Vv The lower endeof'thefportionf-,AS

communicates with a portion'46 havingA anfin- #which is substantially. the-.same diameter. astthe douter diameter of thef portion .43. ofthe sleeve .7.435. The lower end of.the-bore.2ffommunicatesI with a, chamber 53 of enlarged diameter. The sleeve 59 is formed with a bore 54 to slidably receive the lower end of the conduit I9, said bore communicating with the chamber 53 at its lower end. The upper end portion of the bore 54 is formed with an annular groove 55 in which is seated an annular sealing ring 55. The upper end v of the portion 5| of the sleeve 58 is formed with an internal annular groove 51 in which is seated annular groove 59 iwwhichisseated an annular of the conduit I9.

sealing ring 60.

Fixedly connected, as by welding, on the lower embrace the rod 6|.a` The lower end of the rod :6 I is preferably :formed iwith an: annular-'groove -64`to1 removably;` receive a lieyl or vclip :65.

The

I key 65 limits` :the `downward, movement.` of. lthe sleeve 50, and when the valve is in shut-to position, said heysupports theweight of the sleeves :A Vandnll. While avkeyis showniorithispurpose, any .suitable-means may be used, such as a .nut ofthe like.

1:11Below the chamber53, the sleeve'- is 'formed ,with aportion 66. having a `loore .diameter subl. stantiallyequal to theouter diameter of vthe portion 46 of the sleeve 35. The lowerendbtthe g Vportionli terminates in. an internally bevelled A..ffsurface' 67. .The sleeve5il is also; formed with a the chamber 53'and spacedoutwardly from'the :portion 6Std provide an annularlrecess 69 theredownwardly extendingannular -iange GSi-:below between. The flange 68 .has van :internally bevelledflowerendportion mand preferably hasan inner` diameter substantially larger than the outer .;;diameter vof thewmcuth-'of .the vessel ll to `be filled AnA annularv lsealingering 172,.' preferably .fhaving a substantially.r ytriangular crossesectional Y rshape; is seatedin the recess 169 as shownzin Figs.

l and 2. Positioned around thesleeve 35 be- When the improved-valve is inthe. shutfo po sition, the parts thereof vare..disposedasishown ling-ring `34 is positioned Vin the-borel'of; theportionfnf'l of said sleeve. ,'This prevents any liquid *rom-fpassingidown through t-heinlet conduit; Ii .Handout through .the lower end or"v the vsleeve..35.

Meanwhile the compression spring 'i3 holds the sealing lring (i9,r which is on the lowerlend of the I vsleeve 35,. andthe. annularbevelled:surface -6|, which is on `the lowerxend ofthelzsleeve 501; in sealing engagement; therebyV sealingy off` the lower end of the sleeve 50.r The annular sealing-.ring

ber.- 42: 'tez-escape@ and to .permit filow roi fluidv from rthe conduit v| through slot Neandapertures n.Mir-into the chamber-42am Allasaid-rchamben The plug 30 is replaced in the passage 29 when :the chamber 42Yis-completelyzflled.

The valve is operatedbyraising. the vessel to be filled (such as the bottle 1I) under the sleeve 50 to bring the mouth of the vessel into sealing engagement with the sealingjring, 412. ,Further lifting of the vessel H causesthesleeve 50 to rise against the pressureofthe Vspring ,13funti1 the sealing ring 58 has passed thefaperturesj in lthe lsleeve 35. At this po in tthe chamber 42 has become a closed hydraulic cylinder.- Further raising of the sleeve 50Hby the bottle 1I causes the sleeve 35 to be forced downwardly against the pressure of the spring 13, since a constant volume of fluid is sealed into the chamber 42by the seals 25, 38, 58 and 60. Downward movement of the sleeve 35 moves said sleeve away from the stem 32, permitting fluid to fiow down through the conduit l|,.slot 14, and bore of the portions 43 and 46 of the sleeve 35 into the bottle ll. The fluid will be directed to the bottom of the bottle 'Il in a solid fast `moving stream.

As the fluid enters the bottle 1|, the air and foam in said bottle pass upwardly around the portion 46 of the sleeve 35, through the bore of the portion 66 at the lower end of the sleeve 50, through the chamber 53 and conduit I9 to the receptacle I0 above the level of the liquid therein.

After the vessel has been filled, it is lowered and the valve parts return to the shut-off position of Fig. 1 as the spring 13 expands to its normal length,

The vertical position of the apertures 44 in the sleeve 35 is such that'the, sleeve 50 is capable of a predetermined upward movement before it closes off said apertures and causes downward movement of the sleeve 35 to permit the flow of fluid through said sleeve. This movement of the sleeve 50 sufficiently breaks thesealing engagement between the sealing ring 49 and the bevelled surface 61 before the downward movement of the sleeve 35 takes place to permit any liquid in the chamber 53 to drain into the bottle 'll before any fluid is allowed to flow downwardly into the bottle through the sleeve- 35.

The improved valve is fast and positive in its action and may be quickly disassembled for cleaning purposes. All of the parts can be removed by removing the sealing ring 49 key 65 and snap ring 21. The construction of the improved valve makes it particularly well adapted for use in the food industries.

It is within the concept of the invention to provide any suitable means other than the conduit I9 for returning air and foam to the tank I0, such as a horizontal tube, a manifold, and a vacuum device. The method shown and described herein is only illustrative of one method for accomplishing this purpose.

It will be noted that the improved valve delivers a large volume of liquid in a centrally located stream to the bottom of the vessel being filled, and that the liquid then rises in the bottle around the entering stream, driving the air and foam out of the top to be carried away as previously described. Due to the fact-that the entering liquid is in the form of a solid stream flowing at high velocity, the-tendency of the liquid to foam is reduced, and large bubbles are produced which are easily eliminated.

Various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, and all of such changes are contemplated as may come within the scope of the claims. f

l. In a vessel filling valve having. a liquid inlet conduit; arrst sleeve telescopically associated with said conduit, said sleeve having a lowerend portion adapted to be positioned in a vessel to be filledf a second sleeve telescopically associated with said 1rst sleeve.- said second sleeve having a vessel mouth sealingl portion and also having a ventla third ysleeve surrounding portions of said first andsecond sleeves and forming a fluid chamber between said first and third sleeves for causing telescopic movement of said first sleeve in response to telescopic movement of said second sleeve, there being communication between said inlet conduit and said chamber through said rst sleeve when the sleeves are in one position; and means normally preventing the flow of fiuid through the lower end of said first sleeve and responsive to telescopic movement of said first sleeve in one direction for permitting said flow.

2. In a vessel filling valve having a liquid inlet conduit; a, first sleeve telescopically associated with said conduit, said sleeve having an end portion adapted to be positioned in a vessel to be filled; a second sleeve telescopically associated with said first sleeve, said second sleeve having a vessel mouth sealing portion and also having a vent; a third sleeve surrounding portions of said first and second sleeves and forming a fluid chamber between said first and third sleeves for causing telescopic movement of said first sleeve in response to telescopic movement of said second sleeve in the opposite direction, there being communication between said inlet conduit and said chamber through said first sleeve when the sleeves are in one position; and means normally preventing the flow of fluid through the lower end of said first sleeve and responsive to telescopic movement of said first sleeve in one direction for permitting said flow.

3. Ina. vessel filling valve having a liquid inlet conduit; a first sleeve telescopically associated with said conduit, said sleeve having an end portion adapted to be positioned in a vessel to be filled; a second sleeve telescopically associated with said first sleeve, said second sleeve having a vessel mouth sealing portion and also having a vent; a third sleeve surrounding portions of said first and second sleeves and forming a fiuid chamber between said first and third sleeves for causing telescopic movement of said first sleeve in response to telescopic movement of said second sleeve in the opposite direction, there being communication between said inlet conduit and said chamber through said first sleeve when the sleeves are in one position; and means on said inlet conduit normally preventing the flow of fluid through the lower end of said first sleeve and responsive to telescopic movement of said first sleeve in one direction for permitting said flow.

4. In a vessel filling valve having a liquid inlet conduit; a first sleeve telescopically associated with said conduit, said sleeve having an end portion adapted to be positioned in a vessel to be filled; a second sleeve telescopically associated with said first sleeve, said second sleeve having a vessel mouth sealing portion and also having a vent; a third sleeve surrounding portions of said first and second sleeves and forming a fiuid chamber between said first and third sleeves for causing telescopic movement of said first sleeve in response to telescopic movement of said second sleeve, there being communication between said inlet conduit and said chamber through saidfirst sleeve when the sleeves are in one posiasiatica tion; a stem normally preventing the flow of fluid through the lower end of said rst sleeve and responsive to telescopic movement of said rst sleeve in one direction for permitting saidV flow;

and means on said rst sleeve normally sealing the vent in said second sleeve and responsive `to telescopic movement of -said first and second sleeves to permit the ow of fluid through said vent.

5. In a vessel lling valve having a liquid in- Vlet conduit; a rst sleeve telescopically associated with said conduit, said sleeve having an end portion adapted to be positioned in a vessel to be filled; a second sleeve telescopically associated with said first sleeve, said second sleeve having `ond sleeve in the opposite direction, there being communication between said inlet conduit and said chamber through said first sleeve when the sleeves are in one position; a stem on said inlet `conduit normally preventing the flow of iuid through the lower end of said first sleeve and re sponsive to telescopic movement of said first `sleeve in one direction for permitting the ow of fluid through said rst sleeve; and yieldable means for urging said first and second sleeves in opposite axial directions.

6. In a vessel filling valve having'a liquid inlet conclu-it; a first sleeve telescopically associated with said conduit, said sleeve having an end portion adapted to be positioned in a vessel to be filled; a second sleeve telescopically associated with said rst sleeve, said second sleevey having a vessel mouth sealing portion and also having a vent; a third sleeve surrounding portions of said first and second sleeves and forming a fluid chamber between said first and third sleeves for causing telescopic movement of said first sleeve in response to telescopic movement of said second sleeve in the opposite direction, there beingr communication between said inlet conduit and said chamber through said first sleeve when the sleeves are in one position; a stem on said inlet conduit normally preventing the'flow of uid throughl the lower end of said first sleeve 'and 7. In a vessel lling valve having a liquidI inlet the flow of fluid through said iiuid outlet and responsive to sliding movement of saidy sleeve in conduit; a sleeve slid'abl'e on saidl conduit and v having a fluid outlet; means normally preventing one direction to permit fluid to 'ow through said fluid outlet; means forming a uid chamber adjacent a portionV of said sleeve end of said conn duit, 'there being anormally open communication between said inlet conduit and saldi' chamber to permit :duid fromj said inlet conduit to ll said chamber; means providing for thewclosing offof said communi-cation; andi means for exertingA compressive pressures on the fluid in said. chainber to cause sliding movementk of said sleeve in a' direction to permit-fluid flow through the out' let thereof.

'8; lnai Vessellllng valve having. a: liquid. inlet 8 conduit; `a sleeveslidable on said conduit and having a il'uidoutlet; means normally preventing the fiofw of fluid through said fluid outlet and responsive to sliding movement of said sleeve in one direction to permit uid to ow through said fluid outlet; means forming a fluid chamber surrounding a portion of said sleeve and of said conduit, there being a. normally open communication between said inlet conduit and said chamber to permit fluid from said inlet conduit to fill said chamber; means providing `for the closing off of said icoinmunication; and

vmeans for exerting compressive pressures on the fluid in said chamber to cause sliding movement of said sleeveA in a direction to permit iiuid flow through the outlet thereof.

9. In a vessel iilling valve having a liquid inlet conduit; al sleeve slidable on said conduit and Vhaving a iluid outlet; means normally preventing the ilovv of iiuid through said fluid outlet and responsive to sliding movement of said sleeve in one direction to permit fluid to flow through said fluid outlet; means forming a fluid chamber 'surrounding a portion of said sleeve and of said conduit, there being at least one aperture in said sleeve normally providing communication between said inlet conduit and said chamber to permit fluidvfrom said inlet conduit to lill said chamber; means providing vfor the closing olf of said aperture and -means for exerting,- compressive pressures on the fluid in said chamber to cause sliding movement of said sleeve in a direction to permit fluid now through the outlet thereof. I l0. YIn a vessel filling valve having a liquid inlet conduit; a sleeve slidable on said conduit and having a fluid outlet; means normally preventing the flow of fluid through said iiuid outlet and responsive to sliding movement of said sleeve in one direction toy permit fiiiid to flow through said fluid outlet; means forming a fluid cham-'- ber surrounding a portion oi said sleeve and of said conduit, there being a normally open commun-ication between said inlet conduit and said chamber to permit fiuid from said inlet conduit to fill said chamber; and a second sleeve hav-v ing asportion projfectinvgvinto said fluid cham ber `for closing off said communication and for exerting- .compi-'essive pressuresy on the fluid in said chamber to cause sliding movement of said first-mentioned' sleeve in a direction to permit fluid flow" through the outlet thereof.

l-l. In af vessel filling valve having a liquid inlet conduit; a sleeve slidableon said conduit and"- liaving a fiuidoutlet; means normally preventing the flow of fluidi through said fluid outlet and responsive to sliding movement of said sleeve one direction to permit fluid to flow through' said iiuidi outlet; means forming a flu-id chamber surrounding a' portion of said sleeve and olsaid' conduit, there beingV at least one aperture in saldi sleevey normally providing communication; between said inlet conduit and saidl chamber to permit fluid from said inlet conduit to fill said chamber; and a second sleeve-slidable on' said first mentioned sleeve` and having a portion. projecting` intox said. chamber, said second sleeve beingl responsive to sliding movement inr one directioir to close off said: aperture and to exert compressive pressures onthe?. fluid in said chamber suflicient to cause sliding movement of said rstmentioned sleeve in a direction to permit fluid ilow through the outlet thereof.

l2. In a vessel filling valve having; a: liquid inlet conduit.; a sleeve slidable on said conduit and having a fluid outlet; means normally preventing the flow of fluid through said fluid outlet and responsive to sliding movement of said sleeve in one direction to permit fluid to ilorw through said uid outlet; means forming a fluid chamber surrounding a portion of said sleeve and of said conduit, there being at least one aperture in said sleeve normally providing communication between said inlet conduit and said chamber to permit uid from said inlet conduit to lill said chamber; and a second sleeve slidable on said first mentioned sleeve and having a portion projecting into said chamber, said second sleeve being responsive to sliding movement in one direction to close off said aperture and to exert compressive pressures on the fluid in said cham- ;ber suilicient to cause sliding movement of said first-mentioned sleeve in a direction to permit fluid flow through the outlet thereof, said second sleeve beingr formed with a vessel mouth sealing portion and having a vent.

13. In a vessel filling valve having a liquid inlet conduit; a sleeve slidable on said conduit and having a fluid outlet; means normally preventing the ow of iiuid through said fluid outlet and responsive to siding movement of said sleeve in one direction to permit fluid to ow through said fluid outlet; meansforming a fluid cham- -ber surrounding a portion of said sleeve and of said conduit, there being at least one aperture in said sleeve normally providing communication between said inlet conduit and said chamber to permit iiuid from said inlet conduit to fill said chamber; a second sleeve slidable on said first-mentioned sleeve and having a portion projecting into said chamber, said second sleeve being responsive to sliding movement in one direction to close oil said aperture and to exert compressive pressures on the uid in said chamber suflicient to Acause sliding movement of said first-mentioned sleeve in a direction to permit fluid flow through the outlet thereof; and means for urging said rst and said second sleeves in opposite directions.

14. In a vessel filling valve having a liquid inlet conduit; a sleeve slidable on said conduit and having a fluid outlet; means normally preventing the flow of uid outlet; means normally preventing the W of fluid through said fluid outlet and responsive to sliding movement of said sleeve in one direction to permit fluid to flow through said fluid outlet; means forming a fluid chamber surrounding a portion of said sleeve and of said conduit, there being at least one aperture in said sleeve normally providing communication between said inlet conduit and said chamber to permit uid from said inlet conduit to fill said chamber; a second sleeve slidable on said first-mentioned sleeve and having a portion projecting into said chamber, said second sleeve being responsive to sliding movement in one direction to close oi said aperture and to exert compressive pressures on the fluid in said chamber suflicient to cause sliding movement of said first-mentioned sleeve in a direction to permit fluid flow through the outlet thereof; and a helical spring in said chamber in engagement with said rst and second sleeves for urging said sleeves in opposite axial directions.

RANOLD F. QUAM.

No references cited. 

